A pharmacist displays a box of Ozempic, an injectable semaglutide drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, on May 29 at Rock Canyon Pharmacy in Provo, Utah.George Frey/Reuters
Canadian suppliers of Ozempic, a diabetes drug popular for weight loss, are seeking national restrictions on cross-border sales to avoid shortages.
British Columbia announced in March that it would allow drug delivery to U.S. residents at a time of tight supplies after officials revealed a burgeoning online transaction repurposing Ozempic to meet U.S. demand. announced that it is taking steps to curb the sale of
A spokeswoman for pharmaceutical maker Novo Nordisk praised BC’s efforts to regulate sales, but said the efforts would need to be national to be effective. Canada has no surplus to sell.
“Supplying Ozempic designated for Canada to non-Canadian residents increases the risk of Canadian shortages,” said Kate Hanna, associate director of communications and corporate affairs at Novo Nordisk Canada. said in a written response to
Online companies target US customers with promises of “cheap” Canadian Ozempic. Because Canada regulates the price of patented drugs, Ozempic’s cost is typically three times higher than he is in the United States.
Ozempic’s strong sales have created a shortage in the United States, and Hanna said the company cannot provide additional supply to Canada.
“While Ozempic is being supplied to the Canadian market based on anticipated demand, there are constraints that will limit supply growth in the short term,” Hannah wrote. The company is working with wholesalers, Ottawa and the province to restrict drug sales to non-Canadian residents to protect current and future supplies to Canadian patients, she said. .
Pharmacists fear Ozempic could fall into a loophole sent from BC to the US.
A study commissioned by BC Health Minister Adrian Dix found that a significant number of prescriptions were signed by Nova Scotia-licensed, Texas-based doctors, and sold to the U.S. by two online pharmacies in British Columbia. I know it has been sent to a customer. A doctor who allegedly signed more than 17,000 prescriptions in three months has been suspended by the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons pending a full investigation.
Dix raised the issue on Wednesday with Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, who was in Vancouver for the funding announcement.
Ducros told reporters he supported the actions taken by BC and the state of Nova Scotia in the incident, which he described as “outrageous levels of abuse.”
Ozempic is approved for use in Canada for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, helping patients manage their blood sugar levels. Although this drug is not approved as a weight loss therapy, it is promoted on social media for that purpose.
Through the Food and Drug Act, the federal government can prohibit the bulk distribution of drugs intended for the Canadian market outside of Canada. This rule applies to manufacturers and distributors but does not apply to pharmacies under the responsibility of state and territory governments.
However, Duclos said legislation could be applied to address the issue.
